Established in 1971, the State Trading (General) Corporation is a fully government owned corporation functioning under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. The corporation was established under the Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation Act. No 33 of 1070 and was notified in Gazette Extraordinary No 14, 939/10 dated 05.01.1971.
Late Hon. Minister of Commerce Mr. T.B. Illangarathne is regarded as the founding father who commenced the humble journey of STC with a honest ambition to “serve the customer, serve the nation”.
Backed by over 49 years of operational excellence , today STC stands tall as a dynamic, success-driven, youthful organization who strives to position Sri Lanka as a globally competitive nation. At one point, STC was monopolizing many products and services for the benefit of the nation and to supply necessary products and services more efficiently. At the present, STC has consolidated themselves in various facets and built its own personality to encounter future challenges.
Over the years, STC has established several milestones that shaped the course of their journey.
| Ø | 1971 | Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation was established. |
| Ø | 1971 | STC commenced its trading activities. |
| Ø | 1992 | STC was converted into a Public Limited Liabilities company under the Conversion of Public Corporations and Government owned business undertaking in to Public Companies. Lanka General Trading Company Limited was established thereafter. It was registered under the Companies Act, No. 17 of 1982, under Company No. N [PBS/CGB]148. |
| Ø | 2002 | The company’s name was changed to STC General Trading Company Limited. |
| Ø | 2010 | The company’s name was changed to Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation Ltd. |
Pioneers of STC
  Mr. Ashoka M. Jayasinghe (Jan 1971 – Dec 1971) |
  Mr. A.W.r. Perera (Dec 1971 – July 1977) |
  Mr. Rohan N. Hapugalle (July 1977 – Feb 1983) |
 Mr L.E.A. Peiris (May 1983 – Sept 1988) |
  Mr. Yasendra De Silva (Sept 1988 – Mar 1989 and Jan 2002 – April 2004) |
  Mr. N.V.K.K. Weragoda (Sept 1994 – April 1995) |
  Mrs. D.S.L.wijesekara (May 1989 – Aug 1992 and Aug 1992 – Aug 1994) |
  Mr. D.C.K.W.Tennakoon (May 1995 – Feb 2000) |
  Mr. A.J.M. Muzammil (Jan 2001 – June 2001) |
  Mr. Neil Rupasinghe (Dec 2005 – June 2008) |
  Mr.Pradeep Gunawardana (Jan 2009-2014 Dec) |
 Mr.Hussein Ahamed Bhaila (Jan-2015 Nov-2015) |
 Dr A.M. Jameel |
Mr.Hussein Ahamed Bhaila (Nov-2019) |